MANCHESTER, VT — October 6, 2026 — Students from Red Fox Community School walked a wooded trail from campus to the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department station last week for a fire safety field trip ahead of Fire Prevention Week, learning life-saving safety habits, touring emergency vehicles, and seeing how community volunteers work around the clock to protect local residents.

Students were met near Manchester’s emergency helicopter landing zone by volunteer firefighter and Red Fox parent Leslie Bledsoe, who demonstrated how first responders secure the zone during critical medical evacuations.

The tour began in the station’s community hall, where firefighters explained the importance of Fire Prevention Week and announced the department’s upcoming pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 11.

During an interactive safety presentation, Bledsoe reinforced several key rules with the students:

• “Get out and stay out”: Never return inside a burning building for toys, belongings, or pets. First responders are trained to rescue pets safely.
• Stay low: Crawl under smoke to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.
• Establish a meeting place: Families should designate a clear, safe gathering spot outside the home.

Demonstrating the physical demands of firefighting, volunteer firefighter Luke Kruegar showed students how first responders put on up to 85 pounds of protective gear. To maintain certification, firefighters must gear up in under 60 seconds, a feat Kruegar accomplished in 57 seconds during a student-timed drill. He also shared a tip for every child’s bedroom: keep it tidy. Clutter creates hazards for firefighters navigating dark, smoky rooms. In an emergency, students learned to call out loudly, “Hey! Hey! I’m over here!”

Students then took a close-up look at Manchester’s fleet of emergency apparatus. They inspected Engine 5, the department’s primary response engine, which holds 1,000 gallons of water and pumps 250 gallons per minute. Students did the math and found the engine’s water supply would last four minutes. They also explored the 3,500-gallon pumper truck, the Engine 10 rescue truck equipped with specialized extrication tools including the Jaws of Life, and the department’s 100-foot ladder truck.

“We are deeply grateful to Leslie, Luke, the assistant fire chiefs, and all the dedicated members of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department for taking the time to educate our students,” said Karen O’Neill Thomson, Head of School following the visit. “Hands-on experiences like this reinforce life-saving fire safety habits while celebrating the crucial role our local volunteer firefighters play in keeping our community safe.”

Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the safety tips learned during Fire Prevention Week and to review their home fire escape plans together.

The Manchester Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast will be held Sunday, October 11, from 7:00 – 11:00 am at the fire station, 6041 Main St, Manchester Center, VT.

About Red Fox Community School
Red Fox Community School is an independent K–5 school in Manchester, Vermont, where students learn through nature-based, experiential education in three multi-age classrooms. Learn more at redfoxschool.org.

About the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department
The Manchester Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection, emergency response, and safety services to the Town of Manchester, its residents, and visitors. The all-volunteer department has members on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Contact:
Karen O’Neill Thomson, Head of School
Red Fox Community School
karen@redfoxschool.org
www.redfoxschool.org